Delicious, Refreshing, Invigorating, Exhilarating!
That was the message proclaimed in the first advertising for the world’s most popular and famous soft drink, Coca-Cola. This advertisement appeared in Atlanta, Georgia’s Atlantic Daily Journal newspaper Saturday, May 29, 1886, just three weeks after the soft drink was introduced in Jacob’s Pharmacy, in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the 132 years since then thousands of companies have produced millions of creations “hyping” the product Coca-Cola.
Dick Volker was in sales management with the company for over 40 years. Quite a buffet of advertising passed through his hands some of which he has collected and maintained in his home in Princeton, Illinois. Loretta, Dick’s wife, has especially focused on collecting advertising related to the fountain Coca-Cola, which was the division Volker was associated with. Loretta has made her kitchen into a mini-museum starting with a kitchen soffit packed full of Coke advertising pieces, then extending around the walls are metal serving trays, toy trucks and cars placed in slots in Coca-Cola bottle cases, plus a very large framed puzzle. There is a full-sized policeman crossing guard standing in one corner. Years ago the Coke bottlers gave these metal signs to schools. Now schools have abolished soft drinks in favor of “so called” energy drinks.
The Volkers will be exhibiting many various Coke memorabilia at the Prairie Arts Center, 24 East Park Avenue, Princeton with the opening night being Friday, August 3, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at which time Dick and Loretta will enjoy telling you about the history of Coca-Cola and their collection.
The exhibit which will be open each weekend in August from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Free and open to the public with the final day being August 26. Coca-Cola collectors are encouraged to attend.
Volker has done much research on the company and for the past three years has been enjoying presenting programs on THE HISTORY OF COCA-COLA at retirement centers, public libraries, park districts, and chambers of commerce.